The need for innovation in the water sector to meet societal needs is widely accepted. The recent UK Water Partnership LITSoN pilot (Linking Innovation To Societal Needs) provides an overview of innovation in UK water utilities, demonstrating benefits in terms of increased innovation alignment, better market information and opportunities for capability development, ultimately contributing to economic growth.

The UK Water Partnership worked with Rethink Events to provide the content for the second morning of the 2017 World WaterTech Conference held in London on the 21st and 22nd February.

The new register of testing and demonstration facilities will benefit water technology developers and researchers and accelerate the route to market.

Research by UEA academics, in partnership with the Environment Agency, farm managers and precision farming experts Farm Systems & Environment, found that a lined compost-straw-topsoil biobed reduced mean total pesticide concentrations by 91.6%, thus protecting waterways.

Guest post by Kevin Smith, Science and Technology Facilities Council, explains why simulators are such a powerful tool for planning urban infrastructure.

“The UK Water Partnership will be the key to unlocking a $500bn global water market and tackling water security issues though a strategic approach to research, innovation and global clients.”

The workshop explored recommendations made by the Partnership’s reports on global food security and the links between water and food production and the challenges for delivering both food and water to society, in a sustainable way.

A week-long visit to the UK by an Indian delegation of senior civil servants and research leaders with responsibility for the water sector has achieved its objective to develop knowledge-sharing links with key UK policymakers, regulators, researchers and water industry specialists.